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London – Ricoh Meetup (Update)

My work brought me to the London area this week and I had an idea to try and meetup while I was in the area with some of the other Ricoh camera users here. I’ve been following Cristian Sorega’s blog for a while now and it was one of his reviews along with some others that helped convince me to purchase my first Ricoh, their GRD III.

I flew into the Luton airport yesterday morning and was able to get a few hours sleep before heading down to the city late yesterday afternoon. I purchased a one day pass that covered the train and the tube in the city if I needed it for £19. Cristian and I were able to coordinate our meetup initially by private message via the Serious Compact Forum website and then via private email messages. We were originally going to meet in Greenwich but it was easier for me, a non city/train/bus rider, to find him at the City stop in downtown London.

He asked whether I wanted to turn right out of the train station for the Starbucks or make a left and go a block to the Black Friar Pub. Well, I chose the latter!

Please excuse me for the photo heavy post but then I wanted to share a little bit of what I saw on my way there and back.

Where are we going guys?

As I arrived at the Luton train station, it took me a few minutes to get my bearings straight and to figure out which platform to be on, etc. It seems I was not the only one trying to decide.

Self portrait checking out the scenery.

Enjoying the view and ensuring I didn’t miss my stop.

I guess she doesn’t like pumpkins.

Guarding his position for the next train

As I came off my train and it pulled away I couldn’t help seeing this gentleman across the tracks in such a commanding stance.

I think he was in a hurry!

As I was leaving the platform and coming up the escalator to leave the terminal I caught this gentleman running to catch his ride.

Infamous London City phone booth

The Black Friar Pub

I only had to wait a few minutes for Cristian to arrive. It was interesting in how we were going to know one another. Of course he said I’ll be the one with a Ricoh.

Ricoh GXR with Voigtlander 35mm lens

Of course this story has to have a camera in the picture. While conversing I had a chance to work Cristian’s GXR with the new M Module and I was very impressed. Many want to know how easy it may be to manually focus with this system and I had no problems with just a few seconds using the camera.

Cristian heading home

Cristian ensured I got back on the right train and we said our goodbyes and talked about another meetup next fall at Photokino in Amsterdam.

At 2200 it gets a little lonely in the terminal

A much different crowd, or should I say “lack of”, for the journey back to Luton.

Waiting patiently

Reflecting

I grabbed this one as I came across the platforms heading to the taxi stand in Luton.

Thanks for the nice comments Wouter. Were your ears burning last night? If so, its because your name came up in our conversation more than once. I’ve been following your blog since I bought my GRD since you also had reviewed the camera. I too really enjoy how you perform your art and look forward to seeing your work!

LOL. If so I wouldn’t feel bad for missing every Ricoh meetup, but Cristian and I do mail occasionally and we met each other in 2009 in Amsterdam when we exchanged one of the first GXR review samples provided by Ricoh.

Fun images. I’m digging your self-portrait, though I must ask: Do you have abnormally long arms? Because usually you can tell it’s a self-portrait, but you look so … normal. And unaffected. And not like you’re straining to take the picture, like I usually do.

These pictures show the London you thought you couldn’t capture and the London you think never existed. I love the black and white theme, it gives the pictures a unusual perspective of London and England in general.

London is an incredible location for photography. Your work is lovely and tells the story of your visit well. I have done a little photo journalism myself on my blog Routine Patrol and have put up a web site for my recent book http://www.routinepatrol would lappreciate your opinion. Marc

All your photos make the eyes explore every inch of the frame-at least for me. Every picture presents a world of its own with little hidden objects here and there. Great photography and thanks for sharing!

great photos, it was your blog title that grabbed my attention. I do travel a bit, and have often thought about trying to connect with photographers in the city I am travelling to, any tips on this would be appreciated.
thanks

Hey J, I found Cristian’s blog when I was researching info about the Ricoh GRD III (I still have it but shoot now with the Ricoh GXR). I also found the http://www.ricohforum.com website via my research too. After getting the camera I began hanging out there and at http://www.seriouscompacts.com. Cristian had a Ricoh meetup on Saturday that I of course missed since I live in the US. But through participating in these two forums was able to establish myself with the other users and that’s how this meetup was able to happen. Good luck in your travels.

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